a Laforza on a lift at a shop

Last Call: May the Laforza be with you

Jeff Glucker

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I swung by my favorite local hot rod shop the other day and spotted this random act of Italiano sitting on a lift. Yes, that’s a Laforza complete with its Ford-sourced 5.0-liter V8 engine. This one specifically is a Laforza GT, and it has the optional Kenne Bell supercharger. I believe that puts output around 300 horsepower and I’m curious if that’s enough to get this 5,000-pound pig really moving.

Regardless, I was happy to see one as it’s certainly a rare sighting.

Last Call indicates the end of Hooniverse’s broadcast day. It’s meant to be an open forum for anyone and anything. Thread jacking is not only accepted, it’s encouraged.

About

Jeff Glucker

Jeff Glucker

Jeff Glucker is the co-founder and Executive Editor of Hooniverse.com. He’s often seen getting passed as he hustles a 1991 Mitsubishi Montero up the 405 Freeway. IG: @HooniverseJeff

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18 responses to “Last Call: May the Laforza be with you”

  1. Zentropy Avatar
    Zentropy

    That one sent me to off to Wikipedia, because I had no idea what a Laforza was. I’d have been scratching my head at that one. Nice find.

    Reply
    1. danleym Avatar
      danleym

      I only know of them from previous posts on here.

      Reply
  2. Fuhrman16 Avatar
    Fuhrman16

    The LaForza is cool and all, but it’s no Monteverdi Safari. https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/a87f0737d93165579af5975a1b4e5e0e524d19981450b8595b2d91b39dc6debb.jpg

    Reply
    1. Zentropy Avatar
      Zentropy

      Dammit, more clicks for Wikipedia. Where do you people find this stuff?

      Reply
    2. Scoutdude Avatar
      Scoutdude

      A million upvotes. Defintely much easier for me to keep on the road with all my existing spares and knowledge.

      Reply
    3. crank_case Avatar
      crank_case

      Meh, it’s no Sbarro Windhawk, I mean how am I supposed to falcon in that?

      https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fit,f_auto,g_center,pg_1,q_60,w_965/18n2us1ar59xljpg.jpg

      Reply
      1. 0A5599 Avatar
        0A5599

        “I call shotgun!”

        “Sure. I don’t mind sitting behind you while shooting.”

        Reply
        1. crank_case Avatar
          crank_case

          Switzerland, probably the only country with higher personal gun ownership than the US.

          Reply
  3. Maymar Avatar
    Maymar

    https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/bd/Iveco_40.10WM_%282783530468%29.jpg/220px-Iveco_40.10WM_%282783530468%29.jpg

    So, my understanding is the LaForza is roughly based on the chassis of the Iveco VM90, which the Canadian Armed Forces used (a license-built variant at least). Apparently, they are utter garbage, which means they’re also cheap. So, I’m assuming a 5.0 swap is viable, and would actually allow the thing to hit highway speeds (stock, they’re good for 100km/h).

    As for the LaForza itself, they’re neat, we have one running around Toronto, but I also have to assume just buying a second gen Range Rover would still be less headache.

    Reply
  4. SlowJoeCrow Avatar
    SlowJoeCrow

    You could really mess with heads by rebadging your LaForza as a Rayton-Fissore Magnum, or just find one and import it. I remember these things from auto shows in the 80s, right near the grey import Citroen CX.

    Reply
    1. Zentropy Avatar
      Zentropy

      Hey, I’m decent with American Motors trivia! Does that count? No? Yeah, not very exotic, eh?

      Reply
  5. Fuhrman16 Avatar
    Fuhrman16

    So, I’ve been toying with the idea of buying a brand new car to replace my Mazda for the last couple of years now. The problem with that is it seems nearly every manufacturer has been killing off all their car lines. And the few that remain seem to be automatic only and/or hold little to no interest to me. But there does seem to be one car that managed to slip under my radar that I’ve recently found out: the Kia Forte GT.
    It has a 200hp turbo 1.6, a six speed manual, a sport tuned exhaust, full independent suspension (the standard model has a twist beam), a nice, simple interior, a hansome exterior, it’s available in colors I like, and it’s reasonably priced at 23 grand.
    I think I’m going to try to set up a test drive for one sometime in the next month to see if it really is something I want. https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/45db0075c57430c2cfb2b1cf4260c8a949b62850f11dd7b3eea194ab4b48ea20.jpg

    Reply
    1. Sjalabais Avatar
      Sjalabais

      I have seen a few similar cars for sale here and they’re pretty wonderful offerings when you apply The Standard Enthusiast Checklist. Should be reliable and well-made, too.

      Reply
    2. wunno sev Avatar
      wunno sev

      that spec sheet sounds like a Fiesta ST with a little more wheelbase, carrying one or two passengers. a good recipe. let us know how the test drive goes!

      Reply
      1. wunno sev Avatar
        wunno sev

        also, i know the looks are abysmal and the price is a bit higher, but the current Civic Si is worth a second look. good cars.

        Reply
        1. Fuhrman16 Avatar
          Fuhrman16

          The big problem with that is the Civic Si is no longer in production for the 2021 market year in the US, so finding a new one will prove difficult.

          Reply
  6. Scoutdude Avatar
    Scoutdude

    I’ve seen a couple, one at Costco when they were still pretty new and another on the road that was descending into beater status.

    Reply
  7. crank_case Avatar
    crank_case

    It looks like a Fiat Panda that ate all the pasta.

    Reply